Projectile return mechanism for targets



y 1951 J. L. OCONNER 2,552,446

PROJECTILE RETURN MECHANISM FOR TARGETS Filed Sept. 10, 1947 ,INVENTOR. J m Ir. OCQnrIer ATTD RN EYS Patented May 8, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PROJECTILE RETURN MECHANISM FOR TARGETS This invention relates to a game apparatus for receiving a thrown object, and provided with automatically operated means for batting the thrown object back to the thrower.

An object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus having a specially located batting mechanism that, when struck, will automatically bat the object thrown at the game apparatus to the thrower of the object.

The apparatus can be used for any number of different games, when the object thrown may be a ball, marble or any other type of projectile that is adapted to be thrown or tossed at the apparatus.

With the above and other objects and advantages in View, the invention consists of the novel details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical, sectional View thereof on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional View of the batting mechanism in position after it has been operated, and

Figure 4 is the same, prior to being operated and showing a somewhat modified construction.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral III.

The apparatus comprises a plane get portion II, which is circular in cross-section, and is provided with a base I2. Formed on the outer marginal edge of the body II, is an upstanding right-angularly disposed circular wall or partition I3, which determines the outer playing surface of the body. Spaced inwardly from the wall I3, and formed integrally with the body I I is a similar wall I 4, but this wall is of a smaller circumference than the wall I3.

At the exact center of the body II, within and spaced from the wall I4, is a third circular wall I5. The front edges of the walls I3 and I4 are of the same height circumferentially, but the front edge of the wall I5 is downwardly inclined toward the bottom of the body I I.

In Figures 2 and 3, wherein one form of batting mechanism is shown, the impeller or striking surface comprises a disc or plate I6. This disc is somewhat smaller in circumference than the wall I5, and is provided with a projection or base II which is rolled upon itself as at I8 to body or tarform a hinge or pin receiving portion. A pin I9 is received in the portion thus formed, and the pin is fixed in the ears 2%] formed on the wall I5 at its lower circumference.

Mounted on the body II, within the wall I5, and centrally thereof, is a mouse trap spring 2I which, in expanded position, tends to force the disc I6 outwardly as in Figure 3. In this position, a hook 22 on the rear of the disc I6 engages the spring 2| to prevent further rearward movement of the spring. Thus the fingers can he slipped under the spring and be returned. to the position shown in Figure 2. In this position, the upper edge of the disc is engaged by the spring trigger 23 and retained in the position shown in Figure 2.

In use, the apparatus is placed on the ground so that the base I2 is in contact with the ground and a leg 24 hinged at 25 to the rear of the body II is provided to retain the apparatus in playing position.

A solid object is tossed or thrown at the apparatus, and should it strike the apparatus within the confines of the wall I 3, a score as at 26 is obtained. An opening 21 in the lower portion of the wall I3 will then receive the object to return it to the thrower by means of the tubular runway 28 which communicates with the opening 21. Should the object strike the apparatus within the confines of the wall I 4, a score as at 29 is obtained. An opening 38 in the lower portion of the wall I4 in alinement with the opening 21 in the wall I3 will then permit theobject to be returned, as previously stated. Should the object strike the disc IS, a score as at M will be obtained. The force of the blow of the object against the disc will cause the trigger 23 to become disengaged from the disc and the force of the spring 2| urging the disc outwardly will project the object back toward the thrower. Should the thrower catch the ball, another score will be attained, and so the game is repeated after the disc I 6 has again been engaged by the trigger 23.

In Figure 4, the body I I and wall I5 are of the same configuration as previously described. The disc I 6 is also formed as previously described, and the pin 3| on which the disc is hinged is the pintle of the hinge section 32 secured to the body II.

The spring 2I is replaced by a coil spring 31, and the trigger 33 is pivoted at 34 to a hinge section 35 secured to the body II. A coil spring 36 secured at one end to the wall I5, and at the other end to the trigger 33, raises the trigger out of engagement with the disc when it is struck. The operation of this form of the invention is identical with the form previously described.

There has thus been provided a game apparatus that can be used in playing many types of games, wherein skill is required.

It is believed that from the foregoing description, the structure and operation of the apparatus will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is to be understood that changes in the minor details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts may be resorted to,

provided they fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the kind described, a target, a plurality of various size circular spaces formed on said target, one of said spaces being formed centrally of said target, a disc pivotally mounted on said target centrally thereof to cover said last named space, means within said space engaging said disc to urge said disc outwardly of said space, means for engaging said disc and retaining said disc in closed relation to said space against the urge of said first means whereby when, said disc is struck by a thrown objectsaid disc will be disengaged from said last means and urged outwardly of said space by aid fir t means.

2. The invention as in claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a mouse trap spring se- 4:. cured to the center of the target and a hook on said disc adapted to engage the spring to limit the outward movement of the disc and said second means comprises a spring member having a, hooked end that is adapted to engage the edge of said disc.

3. The invention as in claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a coil spring secured at its ends to said target and said disc and said second means comprises a hinged arm having a hooked end thereon to engage the edge of the target and a sprin is connected to said arm to urge said hooked end outwardly of engagement with said disc when said disc is struck by a thrown object.

e. The invention as in claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a spring means and said second means comprising a spring actuated member having a hooked end.

JOHN L. OCONNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 215,033 Wright et a1. a May 6, 1879 1,442,054 Dixon Jan. 16, 1923 1,531,880 Ritter Mar. 31, 1925 1,912,360 Blanchard June 6, 1933 2,443,759 Anderson June 22, 1948 

